Motor Vehicle Door Lock Deflection Unit Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door lock mechanisms, particularly in motor vehicles, face challenges in reducing installation space and noise while maintaining functional reliability and cost-effectiveness, often resulting in complex structures prone to malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a deflection unit between the two winding elements in the drive unit, which decouples the drive motor from the door lock element acoustically and allows for a compact design with a single connection point, enabling the use of low-power, miniature drive motors and reducing structure-borne noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If two winding elements with direct connection to door lock element are used, then force transmission is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deflection unit as an intermediary component between the winding elements and the door lock element. This deflection unit serves as a mediator that redirects the drive means from the winding elements to act on the door lock element at a different location, thereby maintaining force transmission effectiveness while reducing structural complexity and avoiding the need for direct complex connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If direct connection between drive motor and door lock element is used, then installation space is reduced, but noise behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidnoise behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection unit acts as an acoustic intermediary that decouples the drive motor from the door lock element. By introducing this intermediate component through which the drive means passes, the patent reduces structure-borne noise transmission while maintaining a compact installation space, as the deflection unit can be integrated into the existing mechanism without requiring additional space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If two connection points on door lock element are used, then force distribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce distributionVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection unit serves as a force-distributing intermediary that receives the drive means from the winding elements and redirects it to act on the door lock element. This single intermediary component effectively distributes force without requiring multiple separate connection points, thereby maintaining force distribution benefits while reducing connection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution achieves improved noise behavior and a compact, cost-effective design that ensures reliable operation of the door lock mechanism, allowing for efficient power transmission and secure positioning of the door lock element with reduced structural complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a drive unit for a door lock element, the drive unit having at least one drive motor and at least two winding elements that can be acted upon by this motor for receiving (respective ends) a drive means that can be wound and unwound thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the deflection unit connected to the door lock element is decoupled acoustically (by the drive means) from the drive motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic Decoupling: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2084352B1Motor vehicle door lock
Publication Date: 2010.07.14 KIEKERT AG
  • EP2084352B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2084352B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2084352B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a door lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a drive unit (4 to 9) for a door lock element (3). Said drive unit (4 to 9) comprises at least one drive motor (4) and at least two winding elements (6, 7) upon which the drive motor acts, for receiving drive means (8) that can be would and unwound. According to the invention, a deviation unit (9) which acts upon the door lock element (3) is looped inside the drive means (8) between the two winding elements (6, 7).